The City of Hobart will mark not only International Women’s Day but also the struggle for equality for Iranian women.
At the last Hobart City Council meeting on February 20, the council unanimously endorsed a request from the Tasmanian Iranian community to honour “Woman, Life, Freedom” campaign.
Hobart Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds will gather with representatives of the Iranian community to plant a cypress tree at Battery Point’s Princes Park.
“This is in response to heartfelt letters from members of the Tasmanian Iranian community, human rights groups and community supporters to acknowledge one very special woman and a movement which has sprung from her tragic death,” Cr Reynolds said.
“Today’s tree planting recognises the death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old woman, who was killed while in the custody of the Iranian Morality Police.
“This brutality was not of course isolated and is just one more tragic result of more than four decades of dictatorship and violations of women’s and human rights in Iran.
“Mahsa’s death ignited the Woman, Life, Freedom movement in Iran, which has quickly spread around the world and which is offering support to the people of Iran as they strive for freedom, peace and justice.”
Hobart Welcoming and Inclusive City Portfolio Chair Zelinda Sherlock said the City was honoured to play a small part in this much bigger movement.
“There has been a huge upsurge of support for the Woman, Life, Freedom campaign internationally, with all levels of the community energised by the speed and reach of social media,” Cr Dr Sherlock said.
“The cypress tree that we are planting today is the symbol of resistance and liberty in Persian culture.
“It was suggested to plant this cypress (or pencil pine) as a symbol of this movement and as a token of hope for future movements.
“Here in Tasmania, the Hobart City Council in supporting this campaign stands out as a local government leader in supporting people’s dignity and human rights.
“The City’s response to this campaign aligns strongly with the our Multicultural, Equality and Human Rights commitments as well as our Community Vision and once again shows the City of Hobart to be a compassionate, caring and welcoming city.”
Tasmanian Iranian community member Arad Nik welcomed the support from the City of Hobart and said this was just as big a human rights issue in their local community as it was in Iran.
“In the face of violence and being silenced we want all women and particularly any woman from Iran to have a voice,” Mr Nik said.
“This voice is part of the community. This voice has to be heard.
“Our community kindly requested the Hobart City Council to gather with us on International Women’s Day and plant a tree, the tree of the ‘Woman, Life, Freedom’ movement, in the Hobart area as a symbol of this movement and as a token of hope for future movements.
“Anyone who wants to make a decision about freedom and life and human rights needs a voice.
“This place in Princes Park will provide a space for now and the future toward which we can march and rally and gather for understanding and reflection in this special place.”
